Need information about the different Mehas

[heavyharmonies]

Trying to find out information on Besson Mehas is, well... "interesting". There doesn't appear to be a definitive website on this either, so I'm trying to compile information (also because I just bought one on Ebay) but more on that later.

From what I've been able to find digging around, there appear to be 4 categories of Mehas:

1. French Besson Meha (pre-WWII, serials up to ~92,000)
   
2. French Besson Meha (post-WWII, 92,000-???)
   
3. Kanstul-made Meha (1980s?, serials 3 or 4 digits)
   
4. Boosey "New Generation" Meha (current, serials?)

Any serial number lists for "Besson" found online are for the British Besson, not the French.

The consensus seems to be that the serial number cutoff for "prewar" Meha was approximately 92,000.

The one I purchased was 101xxx; late 1940s maybe? Early 1950s?

Is there major difference in quality between prewar and postwar Mehas? I've read that there may be some difference in the valves between prewar and postwar?

The prewar Mehas are referred to as the most collectible, but I've not read anything negative about *any* of the Meha categories, other than some references that the Kanstul-made Mehas, while excellent, are not quite as good as the originals.

The original Mehas are referred to as "large bore", but there are also multiple references online about "Paris" = .470, and "Paris-France" = .460, but I cannot find if that is referring to the Kanstul Mehas or the original Mehas. Can anyone clarify?

Here is the one I took a shot on:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3717316119

and another one of approximately the same vintage still going, but at a higher price (has original case though):

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=16214&item=3715700492

and one with no bids:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3715887006

The usenet posts I've found referring to "original" Mehas refer to them in glowing terms regardless of whether they are prewar or postwar.

Any reviews and/or anecdotal information is greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

-Dan

[ This Message was edited by: heavyharmonies on 2004-04-11 21:07 ]